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Essex is as diverse as it is characterful, so our Essex holidays are always popular with those who like their breaks packed with things to keep them busy and most of all…fun. With all the charm of the coast and the countryside in one friendly county, Essex delights families making memories, old friends taking time out together and couples looking for somewhere unique to explore in their own time. In short, Essex has a day out to suit every kind of visitor.

Now it may be a little known fact that the county’s actually home to 350 miles of beautiful coastline, but what a gorgeous stretch of coast it is. Even if you’ve yet to visit treasured holiday resorts like Southend-on-Sea and Clacton-on-Sea, the chances are you’ll have heard them spoken of fondly, and when you step foot on their beaches you’ll understand why. Traditional piers jut out to sea, children try their hand at sandcastles and visitors lie back and enjoy the award-winning beaches.

Everyone loves an English country garden, and RHS Garden Hyde Hall’s hilltop setting means it’s not only a tranquil place to spend some time but also a brilliant vantage point to take in the Essex countryside that surrounds it. Colchester Castle is Europe’s biggest Norman keep, and with the opportunity to dress up in costume as well as explore one of the country’s most significant historic sites, it’s a great day out for families.

Now this is Essex, and that means you should do at least one activity that you never thought you’d try before you leave your Essex holiday cottage . Might we suggest a spot of white water rafting? The Lee Valley White Water Centre was one of the venues for London 2012, and what better way to experience the thrills of the rapids than in the place where the best in the world competed.